A sturgeon (file photo)
LAKE WINNEBAGO, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — As we head into the second week of what many consider a very slow sturgeon spearing season, experts say the fish may be lighter and leaner this year.
With an estimated 40,000 adults, DNR sturgeon biologist Margaret Stadig said the population of the ancient fish in the Lake Winnebago System is relatively healthy.
“Last year, we continued to see large individuals come out during the spearing season. We also see giant individuals come out during the spawning season,” said Margaret Stadig, DNR Sturgeon Biologist.
Stadig said bottom-feeding sturgeon typically feed on lake fly larvae, commonly known as red worms.
“Unfortunately, the red worms went down this year. They went down again. They tend to have a boom and bust system,” he said.
Stadig said the red worm survey puts the population at its lowest in more than 10 years.
“Hopefully maybe because we had a warmer spring, we might see a better hatch this coming year,” he said.
He said the abundance of another food source, small fish called gizzard shad, was also below its average.
“We saw about the same amount of gizzard shad, that we saw last year. Sturgeon are like kids. If it’s on the ground, and they can fit it in their mouth, they’ll put it in their mouth. That’s why it’s taking them a while, are they just adapting,” said Stadig.
Stadig said the spearers are coming off two fairly successful seasons, and while the 2024 harvest will be slower, he said he’s not concerned.
“No. I think we’ll be, we’ll be fine. This population is very resilient to changes, which is why it’s incredible, that we can call this healthy little change in what you call an under-harvest that probably won’t affect us too terribly in the long run,” she said.
